Dental floss-holder.



C. B. BOWLING.

DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1915.

Pan-11M Nov. 2, 1915.

Witnesses Attorneys bination and arrangement of parts and in.

NITED E CLARENCE B. BOWLING, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

DENTAL FLOSS-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed March 6, 1915. Serial No. 12,668.

at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and Stateof Michigan, have invented a new and useful Dental Floss-Holder, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a dental floss holder, and aims to provide a novel and improved device of that character. I

The object of the invention is the provision of a dental floss holder having novel and efficient means for holding the floss, and whereby theactive portion 'of the floss may be readily renewed and tightened.

It is also within the scope of the invention toprovide a dental floss holder of com paratively simple and inexpensive construction, and which maybe readily carried in the-pocket, purse, or the like, which will be convenient, practical. and efficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the comthe details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood;

that changes in the precise embodimentof the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.-

I The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, whereinproved dental floss holder. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3;3 of Fig.1 Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a tubular handle 1 preferably constructed of metal, and having one end open.

plug 2, and having its outer or free endportion extending angularly, as at 5. The bow 3 carries an arm 6 having an eye or hearing 7 slidable upon the rod 3 adjacent the cap or plug 2, and the arm 6 projects in the same direction as does the end portion Figure 1 is a side elevation of the imor arm 5 of the rod 3. The arm 6 is prevented from rotation about the rod 3, by means of a feather 8 carried by the eye or bearing 7 and engaging a longitudinal featherway 9 provided in the rod 4. In this manner, the arm 6 is adjustable longitudinally upon the rod 4, and will be maintained in the same plane as the bow 3 and its arm 5. As a means for adjusting the arm 5upon the rod 4, a nut 10. is threaded upon the rod and bears against the. bearing 7 to move the bearing toward the cap 2 when the nut is screwed inwardly. The free or lower ends of the arms 5" and 6 are provided with the rounded slotted heads 11 and 12, respectiyeIy and-the arm 5 and adjacent portion of the body of the rod 4 is covered by rubber tubing or similar covering 13, while the arm 6 is covered by rubber tubing or other covering 14, so that the covered portions will be protected, and thereuy render the device sanitary. A set screw 15 is threaded into the projecting portion of the cap 2 and bears against the rod 4 for holding the rod in place with respect to the cap, and the cap 2 is provided with an aperture 16 at one side of its center and arranged at one side of the set screw 15. The handle 1 is adapted to receive the cop, cartridge or spool of floss 17, and the strand 18 of floss is adapted to pass outwardly through the aperture 16, thence around the set screw 15 between the head thereof and cap 2, thence to the slotted head 12 of the arm 6, and thence through the slotted head 11 of thearm 5.

If the floss is carried by a spool, the spool may be conveniently held for rotation within the handle 1, by means of a member 19 threaded upon the inner end of the rod 14 and having an inwardly projecting spindle 20 for holding the spool,-whereby the spool may rotate readily asthe floss is unwound therefrom and drawn out through the aperture 16. It will be understood, however, that the member 19 may be detached and removed for allowing the cop or cartridge of floss to be disposed loosely within the handle 1 when so desired.

passed toone side from the aperture 16 and around-the shank of the set screw 15. The strand 18 is then'passed through the slot of the head 12, and is then extended across the bow 3 to the head 11 of the arm 5. The free portion of the strand 18 is engaged through the slot of the head 11 and is then wound. around the said head 11 to secure the free end of the strand firmly to the free end of the bow 3. The set screw 15 not only serves to secure the rod/1 to the cap 2, but also serves as a friction device for the strand 18, as will be apparent. When the strand 18 is applied to the bow, the nut 10 is preferably loosened, so that the arm 6 can be moved away from the cap-2,-and then after the strand 18 is applied to the arms 6 and 5, the nut 10 may be screwed toward the handle 1, to move the arm 6 away from the arm 5 and to thereby render that portion of the strand 18 between thearms 5 and 6 taut.-

What is claimed is:

1. A dental floss holder comprising a handle having floss holding means, and a bow carried by the handle and embodying a rod carried by the handle and having floss en gaging means at its free end, and an arm adjustable longitudinally upon the rod and having floss engaging means.

2. A dental floss holder comprising an open ended hollow handle, a cap engaged to the open end of the handle and, havmg an aperture therein for the passage of floss therethrough, and a bow comprising a rod carried by, the cap and having floss engaging means at its free end, and an adjustable arm carried by the rod and having floss engaging means.

3. A dental floss holder comprising a han-- dle having floss holding means, a bow embodying a rod carried by the handle, and an arm slidable upon the rod, the arm having floss engaging means, and a nut threaded upon the rod and cooperating with said arm to move the same along the rod for tighteriing the floss.

4. A dental floss holder comprising a handle, having means for holding floss, a'bow comprising arod carried by the handle and cap, floss engaging means carried by the.

rod, and a spindle attachable to the inner end. of the rod to project within the handle for holding floss thereon.

6. A dental floss holder comprising a hollow handle adapted to hold floss therein and having one end-open, a cap engaged in the open end of the handle and having an aperture therein for the passage of floss therethrough, a friction device for the floss carried by the cap, a bow carried by the cap and embodying a rodcarried by the cap,

and an arm adjustable upon the rod adjacent thecap, the free end of the rod and said arm having floss engaging means.

7. A dental floss holder comprising a hollow floss holding handle having one end open, a cap engaged in the open end of the handle and having an aperture'therein for the passage of floss therethrough, a bow comprising a rod carried by the cap and an arm slidable upon the rod adjacent the cap, the free end of the rod and said arm having floss engaging means, and "a nut threaded upon the rod and bearing against the said arm to move the same toward the cap.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE B. BOWLING.

Witnesses:

ROBERT M. BRANTON, WILLIAM M. SMITH. 

